Apply your event for the official 2026 culture programme of the University of Oulu!

The University of Oulu and OYY are involved in creating an unforgettable Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture year. We want to enliven the university's campuses with events, showcase the diverse cultural and scientific experiences of our international community, increase encounters between our multidisciplinary scientific community and city residents, and bring culture closer to the everyday life of our whole university community.

Would you, staff member or student of the University of Oulu, like to contribute to the official 2026 culture programme of the University of Oulu? You can now apply your event to the programme through this form link. The application period ends on April 30, 2025. After this, the Creative Campus working group, that coordinates the university's Oulu2026 project, will go through all applications and select suitable events for the programme.

What kind of event can you propose?

  • The event is planned to be organized in 2026.
  • The event takes place on the campuses of the University of Oulu, somewhere else in the Oulu2026 area, or virtually.
  • The event supports the goals the University of Oulu has for the year 2026: enlivening the campuses, facilitating encounters between the university community and city residents, or producing diverse cultural and scientific experiences.

The event can be organized on a voluntary basis, or as a part of the activities of the student guilds and interest societies under OYY, or it can relate to the work of the University of Oulu staff members. It can be an established event with a special Oulu2026 theme or a completely new and unique event for the Capital of Culture year. The event can be a very short one-time occurrence, or part of a larger event. The nature of the event can be very diverse (e.g., performance, seminar, party...).

Please note that the University of Oulu does not provide separate funding for organizing the event. Event organizers must take care of the potential funding for their event themselves. Funding can be applied, for example, through the Oulu2026 "We Are the Culture" Open Call.

Events in the official culture programme of the University of Oulu

  • will be part of the University of Oulu's official culture programme communications and advertising.
  • can use the official Oulu2026 "Official programme" label in their own communication.


The event organizer must commit to

  • ensuring that the university's general rules and regulations are followed during the event and its arrangements.
  • adhering to the general communication guidelines of the university's official culture programme.
  • reporting about the event to the university (e.g., the number of event attendees).
  • ensuring the accessibility and environmental sustainability of the event.


You can read more about the University of Oulu's Oulu2026 year and the events already included in the culture programme here.

If you have any questions about the university's culture programme, applying for it, or anything else about the Oulu2026 year at the university, contact universityofoulu2026@oulu.fi.

Last updated: 31.3.2025